Famous for its fall foliage and maple syrup, Vermont became our nation’s 14th state on March 4, 1791.

VERMONT covers just 9,250 square miles, making it the eighth-smallest state. It is the second-least-populated state, after Wyoming, with a little more than 600,000 residents. The capital is Montpelier.

The territory that would become Vermont was at first home to the Algonquin and Iroquois. The first European to reach the area is believed to have been Viking explorer Olaf Tommson, who settled in the year 950 but later fled after fighting with the natives. Next came Jacques Cartier in 1535. In 1609, French explorer Samuel de Champlain arrived and claimed the area around what is now Lake Champlain. This was the first European settlement in Vermont and the site of the first Roman Catholic Mass in the New World.

In 1666, The French claimed the area as part of New France. Dutch and British settlers arrived and established a trading post directly across Lake Champlain.

In 1759, after numerous attempts to take the French settlement, British forces finally drove the French from the area. The Mohawks later burned it to the ground, leaving just two chimneys standing, giving the area the name Chimney Point. The French permanently lost control of the area in 1763, after the French and Indian War.

The Vermont Republic declared its independence on Jan. 18, 1777. For the first six months, the republic was called New Connecticut. On June 2, the name Vermont was officially taken. On July 4 of that same year, the Vermont Constitution was written. During the Revolutionary War, the crucial Battle of Bennington was fought on Aug. 16, 1777 and was a turning point for the state. During the war, large supplies of food, ammunition and horses were stored at Bennington. British Gen. John Burgoyne planned to seize the storehouse, but Gen. John Stark’s troops were already there, with orders to fight to the death. Burgoyne’s troops were badly beaten and he later surrendered his remaining 6,000 troops at Saratoga, N.Y. on Oct. 17.

This important turn of events convinced the French that it was a good idea to give military aid to the Americans. Today, the Battle of Bennington is celebrated as a holiday in the state. Vermont was vehemently against slavery and produced the Radical Republican Party. Thaddeus Steven, Charles Summer and former Civil War General-turnedpresident Ulysses S. Grant were party leaders. The group took a hard line against the Confederacy and Abraham Lincoln’s policy of allowing reentry to the Union, which the group felt was too easy on the seceding states. Ironically, Vermont gave Lincoln his largest margin of victory. During the Civil War, Vermont sent more than 34,000 men to fight for the Union.

Two decades after the war, Vermont’s expanding railroad system was crucial for increasing the state’s economic growth, but, like the rest of the country, the state suffered the affects of recession.

As in the other New England states, the summers are warm and humid and the winters are frigid. The best time to visit Vermont is in the fall, when you can enjoy some of the country’s most beautiful foliage.

How could we eat our pancakes without smothering them in delicious Vermont maple syrup? The state is the nation’s top producer of the sweet treat. Dairy farming is the state’s primary source of agricultural income. The state is also home to the Vermont Teddy Bear Co. and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.

Famous Vermont natives include artist Norman Rockwell, poet Robert Frost and President Calvin Coolidge.

Vermont Fun Facts:

* Vermont resident Ida Mae Fuller was the first U.S. citizen to collect a Social Security check. She lived to 100 and collected $20,000 in benefits.

* Vermont does not allow billboard advertising.

* Montpelier is the only state capital without a McDonald’s restaurant.

* State insect: Honeybee

* State flower: Red clover

* State fruit: Apple

Today’s lesson fulfills the following New York standards: ELA 1c, 3c, 3d, 5a Social Studies 1 and 3 Newspapers in the Classroom Sponsored by Raising Billions to Educate Millions For more information about the Classroom Extra program, contact Customer Service at 1-212-801-0100. Today’s lesson can be found at nypost.com. Click on the “More” pull down menu. Classroom Extra®

ACTIVITIES

USE the Internet or other reference source to learn more about Vermont.

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USE a map or globe to locate the numerous mountain ranges in the Green Mountain state.